From Dengue to a Yoga Jedi

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Though I practiced Yoga on and off from a young age, it didn’t really become a serious endeavour till 2017. On January 2nd 2017, I was down with dengue. I was in bed for a week. It took me 3 weeks before I could truly get back to activities, but even then, something was wrong. My body was bloated, my joints hurt and I did not quite feel like myself. The road to recovery took about 1.5 years before I started feeling like my “normal” healthy self again. I credit all of it to my practice of Yoga, the yogic cleanses, yogic breathing techniques and a little bit of walking on a regular basis.

I have always been an advocate of Yoga, but since I decided to become a certified instructor in March of 2017, the adventure began! As I started studying the texts, philosophy and delved deeper into the science the more excited I became. I realised the unlimited potential of Yoga in helping us as humans reach OUR highest potential. A lot of myths and stereotypes were busted along the way. There is no Yoga body – ALL BODIES ARE YOGA BODIES. There is no age limit – YOU CAN DO IT AT ANY AGE. Each practice is customised for you, if only you – LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

Starting at my heaviest weight I have ever been, with excruciating pain in my neck, shoulder, back and knees and the lowest stamina I’ve had in all my years alive – I started my instructorship course.

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That’s right, I started studying to become a teacher at the WORST SHAPE of my life. Instead of letting it discourage me, it taught me greater compassion, not only for myself, but for all my future students. I know what it feels like. I get it! And I had to find modifications that worked. My physical, mental and emotional struggles were real. I know what it’s like to want to give up and walk away.

To find time was hard, I WAS STARTING MY COMPANY – SoulArist. Truth be told, I’m still at it – I realise now start-ups don’t happen overnight ( or 1 year that I thought was enough to get all my ducks lined in a row - can't blame me for being optimistic ;) ) .

I am also, still very much on my wellness journey – everyday. I am also on a continuous learning journey. In fact, I am now on my way to obtaining an International Coaching Certificate – which complements the delivery of Yoga Jedi as a Leadership program.

YOGA JEDI? What a name - how did you come up with that you ask? I just love coming up with catchy names ;) The word Jedi came to mind because of the idea behind 'THE FORCE' as depicted in the Star Wars series. The thing is, it is a very real thing, the ability to control our mind and draw from the force (prana) - and well - OK not the laser sword wielding stuff etc.

Anyway .... back to this tale of beginnings....

Through it all, with support from friends and family, and determination at the back of my mind, I kept going. I had a lot of failed days, sometimes I still do. But I keep at it. My reward comes at EVERY class I teach. The feedback from the students are always astounding. How it impacts them in just one class. From feeling taller, to having more energy throughout the day, to feeling good, to being more focused.

Not everything can be quantified in dollars and cents, but the JOY of health that SUPPORTS us in our day to day endeavours is priceless.

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It is no longer about a personal passion in wellness, it is about sharing this with ALL and together creating greater opportunities for ourselves and our community.

Yoga Jedi is a culmination of the 1.5 years of my own learning through Yoga – asana, pranayama, awareness, mindfulness and the philosophy behind it all. It is also a culmination of my own growth and development as a leader. It is a culmination of my passion that started SoulArist – for everyone to live their best life – because we only have ONE chance at getting it right.

But, I am practical, and I know the kind of life we live in this new millennia. So I needed to create something with low time investment that gives you high value “results”. By results I’m talking about wellness – not a chiselled ab and that bikini bod 😊

I wanted to create something for individuals who truly want the change but have very little time for themselves. To some 30 mins may sound like a LOT of time – well we could even break it down into 2 chunks of 15 mins. BUT the more important question is, why CAN’T we carve out 30 mins for ourselves in a day when we spend at least 2-3 hours on social media/TV/YouTube etc.

By investing 20-30 mins a day in our self-development we invest in our physical, mental, emotional and psychological wellbeing. Investing in becoming our best version every single day. How is that for a new years resolution? It can only get better from here.

How is Yoga Jedi a leadership program? Well, it all begins with a leader mindset, and it starts with leading ourselves into a better state of wellness. Beyond that, there are 30 day routine challenges, guided visualisations and easy hacks to stay on track.

The idea is to put the power of your own wellness into your hands - for you to draw from this simple practice the JOY of being more creative, calm and clear to enjoy the BEST of YOU and LIFE.

Yes, my hope is to get Yoga Jedi onto an app based online learning – BUT let’s not get ahead of ourselves yet. Let’s begin with the actual practice of it – on the MAT, as a daily ROUTINE, as a shift in MINDSET.

Take a chance, make a choice, and bring about change.

Live your best life!

Previous Posts of Interest:

A Yogic Hack to Bliss

The Art of Living through the Science of Yoga

Breathe and Thinketh Not

Yoga and Leadership Series: #3 Practitioner to Instructor

How to Relieve Writer's Block using Backbends and Downward Facing Dogs!

Yoga and Leadership Series: #2 Yogini to an Entrepreneur - an Insight to Yoga and Spirituality

Yoga and Leadership Series: #1 Introduction - A Brief History of Yoga

MY Ikigai:

What I LOVE: Writing about life, expressing ideas, poetry, haiku, short stories and motivational quips. Practicing yoga and internal reflections, walks in nature, compassionate acts towards nature, animals and humanity.

What I OFFER the world: Innovative solution to Creative Self-Expression. With a passion for Creativity, Innovation, Integrity and Authenticity in thoughts, words, and deeds.

What I am/can be PAID FOR: Writing, teaching yoga, books (in the making), training, facilitating. And hopefully to sit and spin out creative ideas/solutions at whim!

What I'm GOOD at: Hypnotising my Yoga students apparently! Writing from the heart, being a hopeless romantic, passionate utopian, innovator and creator of all things fun and uplifting.

The IKIGAI - SoulArist